CARMEL, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference recognized Hanover College women's basketball student-athlete Grace Bezold (Covington, Ky.) as the 2024-25 HCAC Athlete of the Year for women's sports on Tuesday, following a vote of league officials.

The senior forward from Covington, Kentucky, recorded a Hanover school record with 623 points in a season. Bezold was also second in career points at Hanover with 1,631 and eighth in career rebounds with 677. Bezold earned multiple HCAC Athlete of the Week honors throughout the 2024-25 season, garnering this distinction in weeks 2, 3, 5, 13, and 15 of the season. She was also named as a D3Hoops Team of the Week member on Jan. 5th and the USBWA DIII Women's National Player of the Week honors on Feb. 18.

In addition to her conference and school accolades, Bezold found her name in numerous national statistics. Bezold averaged a season-high 23.1 points per game during the season, ranking 8th nationally among Division III players. She was ranked 7th nationally in total points scored and field goals attempted. Grace was ranked 5th in field goals made; 17th in attempted free throws; and 19th in made free throws. The senior was also ranked 32nd in total double-doubles.

Bezold was a WBCA All-American Honorable mention and D3Hoops Third Team All-American for the 2024-25 season. She was named as a Region 8 First Team selection and CSC Academic All-District. To end her Panther career, Bezold was also a WBCA All-Star participant as well as a Top 10 Finalist for the prestigious Josten's Trophy.